Occupy Seattle protest costs SPD, city $33,000 in overtime

badgasgoodwind said on October 15, 2011 at 5:46 AM

THE CITY IS NOT PAYING FOR THE PORT-A-POTTI'S. Occupy Seattle had a donor who paid for two port-a-pottie's for a month. We need more and we need a donor for a recycle dumpster and a garbage dumpster. ~pete/Occupy Seattle Fundraising

sfsgm said on October 12, 2011 at 7:12 AM

Ha, laughing at you again, Seattle. Please stay where you are and don't infect the rest of the state.

andyblue555 said on October 12, 2011 at 4:40 AM

33,000.00 that's only two of the 15,000.00 green bike squares McGinn had painted at intersections. By the way... did you know that our council members asked in a former letter if the police union could maybe, please by chance drug test officers when they kill someone? Unbelievable. McGinn just OKed the new Seattle police contract and sent it on to the city council for their ok. Do you wonder if the Police Union will still be threatening to sue the citizens of Seattle with the best lawyers the citizens of Seattle can buy because their magic golden contract? They actually say they CAN'T fire officers for lying on reports. This is unbelievable. The Seattle police union can only be compared with the mafia. Imagine 85% of Seattle police voted for us all to be threatened over and over by their union president if we dare to suggest holding officers accountable. FRAUD! at the highest level while Millions and Millions in settlements are paid for police violations against citizens.

andyblue555 said on October 12, 2011 at 1:23 AM

Outright fraud of the tax payers once again by the Seattle police department. With so many officers proven to outright lie on their reports and STILL be able to carry a badge I have no doubt that they would also lie on their time sheets. If an officer charge your son or daughter with a crime and you later learned they have a history of lying on reports what would you do?

DougN said on October 11, 2011 at 6:07 PM

The biggest drag on businesses in downtown Seattle is the police presence. Unlike the protesters, they don't exactly ooze friendliness. Take the money you are spending on the police and give it to sandwich shop guy who says his sales are down. That is how you should deal with people who are inconvenienced by free speech -that is if you believed in free speech.

banditrider said on October 11, 2011 at 4:43 PM

This is pocket change for Seattle. This is the city that will cough up millions instead of waging a fight against criminals. They commit crimes then are exonerated by political correctness with a nice "out of court" settlement.

noskills said on October 11, 2011 at 12:05 PM

They have just as much right to protest as tea party people have the right to protest. Just because they dont share your beliefs does not mean they are stupid and should not be allowed to protest.

paulharvey said on October 11, 2011 at 11:51 AM

I don't believe any of the protesters asked the cops to show up. Find out who did and blame them. Better yet, send a bill to the big banks. Nobody puts the Constitution on hold so the city can save a few bucks.

Sony_PSN903 said on October 11, 2011 at 10:55 AM

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll just push for another tax on people who actually have jobs to pay for this, right? After all, it's someone else's money.

skibumtim said on October 11, 2011 at 9:06 AM

Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out The Whole World is Watching! Hell no, we won't go! Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today? Power to the People! Make Love, Not War Black is beautiful Tell it like it is. Keep the Faith! Do your own thing. Give Peace a Chance Peace Now! Free Love Can ya dig it, man? Do your own thing!

Beermen said on October 11, 2011 at 7:43 AM

and, is it true, that America's biggest export is garbage? well garbage and entertainment. I agree with Frank, that these American jobs need to stay in America. I'm disappointed in Harley, really Brazil? anyway to tell which bikes are not made in the USA?

Beermen said on October 11, 2011 at 7:40 AM

Sirreal, that's a famous quote from Ghandi. And he beat the british, with non-violence. not weak at all. nonviolence is a helluva lot better than bombs freedomfrank, I dislike it when I find myself agreeing with you.

nick22 said on October 11, 2011 at 6:52 AM

Why are the police there in the first place these are peaceful protests. Also I am sick of these people bashing these protestors. THANK YOU Occupy wall street maybe some of our low information public will wake up.

chuckstr76 said on October 11, 2011 at 6:21 AM

SPD and the city are paying the bill....with TAXPAYER money...Take the fire hose to them.

stonetrails said on October 11, 2011 at 5:20 AM

Funny how SPD can pinpoint an overtime figure when it comes to trying to suppress freedom of speech (which BTW, they do not like or willingly condone).. But can't remember $#!^ when it comes to explaining why so much money is spent in overtime for cops to visit massage parlors, surveilling espresso stands, and sneaking guns into nightclubs. . .

anticap said on October 11, 2011 at 4:01 AM

Let's have a little more good old American conservative outrage over this "massive gummint expenditure". OMG 33,000 dollars!!!! By the way, what seems to have flown under the radar is the 16 TRILLION dollars recently handed over to the banks. You didn't hear about that on the news though, did you? That's 50,000 dollars for every man, woman and child in this country. That's a stack of dollars bills reaching to the moon and back. That's a third of our total national net worth. And yes, it WILL have to be paid back. By you. And you Occupy Movement detractors have the nerve to sit on this forum and belittle people who are looking out for the future of the children you put on the planet and sold down the river with your ignorance. Wake up.

Sir_Real said on October 11, 2011 at 1:39 AM

Also Occupy Wall Street, Seattle will idolize people like Ghandi.. wimp! while Tea Party has Jared Lee Loughner.

Sir_Real said on October 11, 2011 at 1:27 AM

These Occupy Seattle liberals don't hold a flame to the Tea Party... For one, look at their signs, "First they ignore you, laugh at you, fight you, and you win"? Come on! Weak! Too peaceful! Here are real slogans, "Hear My Voice Or Hear My Gun!" or "Tea Bag the liberals with piano wire" Now that's how to channel that hate filled anger message only the Tea Partier can deliver.

double00range said on October 10, 2011 at 11:41 PM

The police presence at Westlake Park is absurd. Things are completely peaceful there. SPD should be held responsible for costing the city $30K! Leave the protesters alone!

think said on October 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Complacancy will cost us a lot more than $33,000. Everyone should stand-up to this assault on the average-joe.

rnl52 said on October 10, 2011 at 10:32 PM

Better get used to it. This is not going away, and it's not just here.

stickneyw said on October 10, 2011 at 9:59 PM

And they haven't beaten anyone to pay a multimilllion dollar settlement.. I am ago shocked!

hewhoo said on October 10, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Not to worry. The taxpayers of Seattle won't be dealing with these kinds of costs on November 10 or December 10 or, brrr! January 10.

pamby said on October 10, 2011 at 8:15 PM

They have more police than needed at Westlake. It's a peaceful protest. The only problems are when the police get mean and pushy. I was down there one evening and that is what I saw.

That1Guy said on October 10, 2011 at 8:13 PM

Theres nothing wrong with protests as long as they are peaceful, which this seems to mostly be. The only thing is if someone attacks a officer because its their job to enforce the law. queenanne the reason SPD is working overtime is because of this united mentality, thousands of people working for one thing, if one person decides to break into a business, and others follow, in about 5 minutes you have 1000s of people rioting in the street; I dont wanna wait 20 minutes or more for officers to show up to a city on fire, maybe yours, but not mine. Anyways this specific subject isn't bad, and i agree with #1 of Queenannes comment.

totalcare3741002 said on October 10, 2011 at 8:10 PM

Isn't it amazing. All of a sudden, the SPD and Mayor Doofuss & company are being TRANSPARENT; much like the dashcam videos, I would have thought that they might have "lost" or "misplaced" the overtime total estimates. Since Mayor Doofus and company are "just keeping all of us informed", here's some more info to chew on: The SPD paid 1 million to the family of the woodcarver killed earlier this year by that DA police officer. Mayor Doofuss created a new position for the former advocacy director of the Cascade Bike Club this year- $95k. This guy evidently "advises the mayor on transportation issues". Apparently, the SDOT doesn't have enough people to do this sort of thing.

queenanne said on October 10, 2011 at 8:01 PM

1. Good, at least some more hours and money for our underpaid, underfunded public servants. 2. It's the SPD's decision to have the huge overtime police security presence, blaming protesters for it is like blaming the victim for rape. 3. Same old story with the comments on here, there will always be the Okies from Musgokee, people who hate those who are actually standing up for those same O-from-Ms' rights and livelihood, because they are too brainwashed/stupid to do it for themselves. 4. Except now I'm 59 instead of 15, and I'm not out in the streets with the protesters; I protested for 35 years only to be mostly ignored and/or hated (except Vietnam, I guess we did kind of turn the tide there, but we had no effect on Iraq), so I've done my time and the flesh am weak. Plus I'm too busy making at least twice as much money as you Os from M. 5. Yeah I guess I'm part of the 99% but actually... I could do without about 40% of em.

thisisfunny said on October 10, 2011 at 7:53 PM

I guess the mayor does not want another term.

vickdichselbst said on October 10, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Nazi Germany had a way of dealing with protesters. Judging from some of the comments posted here, it appears many of you would approve of such tactics today. Protesting is patriotic, whether you agree with the message or not. If it weren't for protesters, we would still be an English colony.

coyotebmw said on October 10, 2011 at 6:36 PM

So all of you that voted for McGinn must be real proud of his handling of this activity? TANSTAAFL!

ringer said on October 10, 2011 at 5:56 PM

We are now a Corporatocracy. Corporations are not people. Remember when you did not have to pee in a cup, undergo a credit check, or worry if you were unemployed too long. Your Constitutional rights have been taken away, unlawful searches to get a job, what freedom of speech, you do what on your own time? Sorry does not fit our corporate model take a walk no more job. Politicians are merely Corporate puppets, bought by them for them and of them. Give my America back or I will take it back.

cousineddie said on October 10, 2011 at 5:44 PM

Maybe all the homeless panhandlers should protest these people until they cough up enough of their cash!

banditrider said on October 10, 2011 at 4:56 PM

pObama's job act will not produce long term jobs, its another gov't spending spree funded by the Chinese credit card. It will be about as succesful as his solar panel venture. Eliminate fraud and prosecute white collar crime.

MGRyan said on October 10, 2011 at 3:10 PM

Come on, these protestors are doing one thing Obama hasn't been able to do, that is create jobs. After all, someone will have to clean up the mess they are making.

redsonrising said on October 10, 2011 at 2:36 PM

A candlelight vigil for something the Senate refused to take up last week. Something the Democrats forgot to file on time. Something that who cares what the ramifications are...if dear leader says it is right, it must be right! Hopey Changey Dopeys!

bigblue1518 said on October 10, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Ditto @yessir. Until the next time we agree or agree to disagree.

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 2:07 PM

freedomfrank... regarding those "widgets". This is a pretty strait forward concept... the United States is the major consumer market for American corporations.... if they decline the American worker with lower wages, who then needs to refocus on applying the results of those lower wages to their own basic health care (no health benefits from employers) and personal retirement (no pension from employers), the result will be predictable. Fewer and fewer American workers (the primary consumer) will be able to afford those widgets. You can see where this is going. Short term greed kills long term success. This isn't merely about "market value", it's about corporations killing off their own consumers. It's not just greedy... It's absolutely fiscally stupid in the long term. The issue of course is... these corporate CEOs aren't thinking past 10 years out (and sometimes past 2 years out).

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 1:54 PM

@bigblue... though I disagree with you on some basic elements here, I appreciate you are reasonable about the topic and speaking from your own experience. Thanks for the discussion.

taylorwood said on October 10, 2011 at 1:09 PM

@stryker: Your concept is incomprehensible to the average "protester" out there infesting the streets right now. It certainly is a concept I wholeheartedly embrace though. Back to work!!:-)

bigblue1518 said on October 10, 2011 at 1:01 PM

@Yessir, this is true however; for me times have changed. I grew up on a farm. Did 8 years in the military mainly because my parents couldn't afford to send me and my siblings to college. So I paid my way working fulltime and going to school full time. I did the same with grad school. I chose this path and knew going into it that I was not going to do 8 a day and go home. I'm proud of my decisions and accomplishments. I have not relied on anyone to get where I am today. As the business landscape changes so do I. I'm not going to sit back and complain about the way things are. I will adapt, adjust and succeed. This is why I don't agree with this "movement". No one else needs to change for me; I will change to meet the need. This has worked very well for me. I can understand your point though and I don't speak for anyone but myself as I'm not wearing anyone else's shoes.

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 12:48 PM

No Yessir, they are still making widgits and we are still buying widgets, we are just not getting paid to make the widgets. We lose the middle money.

redsonrising said on October 10, 2011 at 12:21 PM

They walk out of the class that they no longer want to pay for. The gub'mint should pay for everything. The gub'mint should be my crutch so I don't have to stand and walk on my own two feet. Mo' gub'mint is the solution because my mama and daddy were failures. GUB'MINT!

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 11:45 AM

@bigblue.. it's interesting to note that you work 65 hours a week. I as well work about 55 hours a work (at work) and then likely another 10 or so on work related projects at home... Here we are both working dramatically more hours than our parents would have found acceptable at their work places. Not to mention, our pensions and health benefits (if we have them anymore) are under subtle (or in many cases, not so subtle) attack... while even the most conservative statistics confess corporate CEOs are making more than ever whilst scapegoating teachers and police officers as the reason behind the economic conditions prevelant in our county... and we aren't identifying with the reasons behind this protest?

invalid said on October 10, 2011 at 11:25 AM

"...student walkout at the University of Washington..." What, exactly, do you accomplish when you walk out of a class that you (or your parents, or possibly a scholarship fund) paid for?

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 11:23 AM

bigblue... indeed... we all need breaks. I'm not working btw... I never post from work. Not that I'm judging mind you ; )

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 11:21 AM

@steve_Cardindd7... I believe Whatsyurbeef was referring to a poster on these boards who goes by the screen name hippiescum. Not that I agree all of hippie scum's comments are meathead though. I think these 99% protests are very broad based when it comes to agenda. The bank bailouts may indeed be part of it, but outsourcing, reduction of pensions, salaries, benefits... some of them are protesting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (some for economic reasons... some because they are simply against the wars)... there's probably people at those protests ticked off at Glen Beck, Bank of America, President Obama, John McCain, Sarah Palin, Michael Palin... you name it. In general I find myself both appreciating the frustration generating these protests and subsequently supporting them. That isn't to say however, that I agree with all of the agendas being tossed around. Still, the movement seems to be focusing... and that could turn into a big deal.

stryker said on October 10, 2011 at 11:20 AM

I will be holding protests and rallies at 'Occupy My Desk', Monday thru Friday, 9-5. Please go to work to show your support.

bigblue1518 said on October 10, 2011 at 11:12 AM

@yessir, good observation. However, I give my company on average 65 hrs a week. A 10 minute break now and again for a post is not, in my mind anyway, excessive.

Steve_Cardindd7 said on October 10, 2011 at 11:02 AM

I believe that they are protesting the bailouts. Does nobody remember those "too big to fail" bailouts? Why call people without jobs "hippie scum" it goes to show how out of touch with reality you are. People are not unemployed because they are lazy. The economy is in the toilet and Wall Street was greedy. Greed got us to where we are today. Non-partisan greed, too. We are all to blame.

whatsyurbeef said on October 10, 2011 at 10:37 AM

Freedom Frank we still create Meat Heads....Hippiescum is a good example....

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 10:33 AM

jiminy... I suspect they feel they are voicing a public discontent by their gathering... what would you have them do? Storm banks?

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 10:30 AM

though I have to wonder... you're blogging on company time? What a stalwart employee you are ;) Ah the irony.

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 10:28 AM

bigblue... my pleasure... long as you're entertained ;)

jiminycricket said on October 10, 2011 at 10:27 AM

What is all this standing around supposed to accomplish?

bigblue1518 said on October 10, 2011 at 9:47 AM

Third attempt at posting without any results (nice job King5) @yessir, not in the least. I love a good comedy and this protest is just that. Plus I don't even have to leave my office to watch. I can simply keep one monitor on King5 and get the hilarious updates whenever I want. Productivity drops just a little when they do interviews. I find it hard to type and laugh out loud all at the same time. Thanks for checking though. ;)

sargemcc said on October 10, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Take your money out of the international banks like Bank of 'America', (yeah, right), Wells Fargo, etc. Put it in local credit unions. Let the 'Big Bankers' fail. Greedy bast**ds.

sargemcc said on October 10, 2011 at 9:28 AM

Tax corporate imports with a heavy enough tax that it becomes as profitable to make their product in the US. Place caps on profit margins for corporations so that artificially inflated costs don't occur.

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 9:28 AM

Frank... so we should simply be so fearful of corporations leaving that we take less and less in wages, benefits, and working conditions? Frank... if they keep removing jobs... they destroy the consumer... without consumers corporations fail. They are as dependent on the worker as the worker is on them.

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 9:12 AM

Well anticap,, you are right. They are multinational and now all of our income tax base is multinational as well. Hope all you anti corporation idiots are happy. Jobs will continue to leave the US never to return. Pretty soon we won't make anything in a country that used to make everything. Pretty sad.

thecrankster said on October 10, 2011 at 9:07 AM

Sir_Real- "The Tea Party wants no government" You wouldn't happen to have any facts to back up that statement would you?

anticap said on October 10, 2011 at 9:06 AM

@thecrankster I prefer someone more along the lines of fair and balanced.

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 9:05 AM

@thecrankster... why... I'm watching "you"... of course

anticap said on October 10, 2011 at 9:02 AM

And what are they paying these people freedomfrank? Should we all be paid the same pittance? Face it , these corps are paying the lowest corporate tax rate in decades, they receive more than their share of corporate welfare, yet that's never enough. They won't be happy until they can undermine the American workforce as well. This is not to mention the fact that they can dump their toxins with impunity in other countries anywhere they want. If this is what they want to offer us, they can stay where they are at. Remember, they are multi-national - they don't give a f@#k about America.

jiminycricket said on October 10, 2011 at 9:00 AM

What exactly is all this standing around supposed to accomplish?

thecrankster said on October 10, 2011 at 8:57 AM

Anticap- "They make it sound so simple on Fox News because only simpletons watch it." I'm curious, what do really smart people like yourself watch?

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 8:53 AM

bigblue... through that feigned laughter... do I hear fear? ;)

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 8:53 AM

Want me to go on? These jobs should have been kept here in America, the government should be bending over backwards to keep jobs. You don't make it harder, you make it easier.

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 8:52 AM

Cooper Tire and Rubber is based in Findlay, Ohio, but has manufacturing facilities across the globe. According to the company, it has facilities in 10 countries. This includes manufacturing, distribution, and sales.

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 8:51 AM

The automotive manufacturer Ford Motor Company is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit It is a large multinational corporation, with manufacturing facilities scattered all over the world. Ford Motor has manufacturing facilities spread across six continents. The company also has approximately 159,000 employees, working in 70 manufacturing plants worldwide.

Sir_Real said on October 10, 2011 at 8:49 AM

I am sick of people comparing them to the Tea Party! The Tea Party wants no government so it can be replaced with a Fascist-populous government while the Occupy people want anarchy so it can be replaced with a Socialist-populous government. Either way they are both nut jobs, but I'll take socialist before I take fascist.

PW223 said on October 10, 2011 at 8:49 AM

i cant even read these stories anymore. its incomprehensible how delusional these people are. just like the mayor

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 8:48 AM

Caterpillar just opened a brand new shiny factory in Thailand, Harley now has 2 plants outside the US in Brazil and India, as a building inspector I see 90% of the goods in construction coming from overseas with China leading the way. We are only hurting ourselves demanding outrageous wages, higher taxes, ridiculous codes and the enforcement and fines that go along with it. Frivolous lawsuits against employers and upheld by the courts, holy moly if you can't see how bad we have made it to run a business in this country you are blind or stupid.

PW223 said on October 10, 2011 at 8:47 AM

time to F S up

bigblue1518 said on October 10, 2011 at 8:43 AM

Ah the idiots are back………… For all the protesters that feel the need to spew your babble here as well as out in the rain, hahahahahaha. You pathetic rodents make me laugh. I have one request; please keep this up for a little while longer. I'm really enjoying the reduction of panhandlers on the streets around Seattle. Oh, and I appreciate the opportunity to teach my daughter that this is what happens to people who don't go to school and work hard. Thanks to you I think my young daughter is ready to start looking into Law Schools. So you protesters, take pride in the fact you are entertaining and educational.

ex_bkr said on October 10, 2011 at 8:41 AM

LMAO,,,,,many of these WILL become a lot more capitolistic once thier girlfriends realise how good it is to have things bought for them,,,,,

anticap said on October 10, 2011 at 8:21 AM

They make it sound so simple on Fox News because only simpletons watch it.

yessir said on October 10, 2011 at 8:17 AM

The 1% simply aren't posting comments on news blogs... which means pretty much anyone here is in the 99% and that these people at Westlake Park are off fighting the battle for you. Oh, I appreciate... it all sounds so simple when you listen to Fox, Glen or Rush. They make it sound that "simple" for a reason. Who's being duped?

anticap said on October 10, 2011 at 8:16 AM

By the way Freedomfrank, where are all the jobs they are creating? In which country?

saynotolibs said on October 10, 2011 at 8:13 AM

Yeah, lets boycott all businesses and banks. Lets all grow our own food, make our own clothes, build our own houses, design our own iPads. Of course we can trade for these things too. Wampum could work.

anticap said on October 10, 2011 at 8:11 AM

They are protesting government as well because it is responsible for banks becoming to big to fail. The only useful idiots I see are the people who post here that cannot see connection and want to blame government for everything. Notice I say government, not Obama, not Bush, not Clinton because they all had a hand in allowing Wall Street to loot the country.

freedomfrank said on October 10, 2011 at 8:03 AM

Yes, lets get rid of all the greedy businesses that create jobs and provide a living for people. Lets make it even more difficult to do business in this country. Hope you like the unemployment lines dumdums. Its not hard enough to run a business with the taxes and regulations, lawsuits and unions. Lets get the workforce up in arms over them trying to make a profit to boot. What a bunch of clueless buffoons. Oh, and Mayor McShwinn, you have ZERO business saying anything in this. You go continue screwing the great people of Seattle out of their income just as the businesses do you two faces pedal pusher.

mugbeer said on October 10, 2011 at 8:02 AM

Yes, there's a reason their called "useful idiots"

wesleyt said on October 10, 2011 at 7:52 AM

How incredibly stupid are these people? This current administration and its reckless spending and borrowing has caused all businesses in this country to cut back and take a 'wait and see' attitude. So if these clueless people want to protest, then protest the white house and those responsible for this mess we're in. Wall Street didn't vote for a failed stimulus, they don't print money or borrow from the Chinese, so placing the blame on them is nothing more than the phoney class warfare BS started by Obama and his cronies. It is very sad to see so many so easily duped by the left handed media in this nation...